Washing machine



1,625,096 p 1927' H. w. ROUTSON WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. '7. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

HOW/7RD W KOUTSO/V A TTORN ,Y

14w? W a M April 19, 1927.

H. W. ROUTSON WASHING MACHINE Filed 001:. 7. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HOWfi/ED M/ EOUSTSON latented Apr. 19, 1927 UNITED STATES 1,625,096 PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD W. ROUTSON, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO MINIMAX UTILITIES CORPORATION, A CORPORATON OF CALIFORNIA.

WASHING MACHINE. p

Application filed October 7, 1925. Serial No. 60,937.

This. invention relates to washing machines of the type for use inconne'ction with a conventional form ofstationary washing trays.

It is the principal object of the present invention to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of machines of the character referred to, whereby to provide a machine of comparatively inexpensive construction having a cooperating wringer connected therewith which may be driven at the operators option, which machine may be easily installed and will operate efficiently to launder clothing and the like.

In carrying out this object I provide a washing machine having a casing fully enclosing its operating parts and which may be secured to any suitable upright support at the rear of the usual washing trays. The machine supports a driving motor which, through the medium of operating mechanism, vertically reciprocates the washing plungers carried by the machine in operative relation to the washing trays. The machine is also fitted with a wringing mechanism which may be driven when desired by the operating mechanism of the machine.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fi 1 is a. front elevation of the machine showing the casing partly in section to fully illustrate certain parts of the operating mechanism. I

Fig. 2 1s a slde elevation of the machine partly in central section to disclose certain details of construction of the operating mechanism.

Referring'more particularly tothe accomgan ing drawings, the washing machine here i'sc osed is for use in'connection with stationary laundry trays. Trays of this type are usually erected in close proximity to a wall and. I have designed the present machine to be mounted against the wall adjacent the tubs so that the plunger cups of the machine will extend centrally within one of the trays. The machine is also fitted with. a cooperating wringer (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1) which is supported by the machine between the trays so that the laundry may be transferred from one tray to the other through the wringer if desired.

The machine comprises a vertically disposed casing 10 which forms a frame for supporting the operating parts of the machine in their correct cooperative positions, and which encloses the various mechanisms to protect them from the aqueous vapors which may arise fromthe trays when the machine is in operation. The casing 10 is formed with a substantially cylindrical upper end and an elongated rectangular lower portion 11 which extends downwardly. The casing is formed with a front wall 12 and with side walls 14 so that the mechanism within the machine will be fully enclosed at the front and sides. The rear side of the housing is open as this side is abutted against the wall at the rear of the'trays which will form a closure therefor.

To secure the casing to the wall in proper position relative to the trays, the casing is formed with a plurality of transversely extending holes through a flange 15 through. which the bolts or screws may be inserted to firmly and rigidly secure the housing to the wall at the rear of the trays.

At one side of the housing a motor supporting bracket 16 is formed. This bracket extends horizontally and transversely of the machine and is formed as an integral part of the casing 10 for supporting an electric drive motor 17 which is adapted to operate the machine. The shaft for this motor is fitted with a. coupling 18 which extends through an opening in the side of the housing to a point therein where it is coupled with the shaft of a worm 19. This worm extends transversely and horizontally and is journalled at its opposite ends in bearings 20 which are formed integral with the casing and disposed interiorly thereof.

J ournalled in the front wall of the cylindrical portion of the housing and projecting inwardly at right angles to the worm, is a worm gear shaft 21 upon which a worm gear 22 is rotatably mounted but collared to secure it from axial movement. This gear 101) rate of speed.

Integrally formed or otherwise relatively 101i fixed to the worm gear 22 is a radially extending crank arm 23. The outer end of th1s crank arm is operatively connected to the upper end of a vertically reciprocal connecting rod 24, the lower end of which is con- 110 .end of which is formed with a nected at 25 to a vertically reciprocable crosshead 26. This crosshead is disposed within the lower portion ll of the housing and has an outwardly extending portion which projects through a vertical slot 28 formed in the front wall of the housing.

Adjustably mounted on the crosshead 26" with a wing nut 27 by means of which the arm 27 may be clamped to the projecting portion of the crosshead 26. The meeting faces of the arm 27 and the crosshead 26 are formed with l-shaped tongues and grooves which engage to form a vertical guide for the arm 27 when it is adjusted vertically on the crosshead, and which also secure the arm against pivotal 'or turning movement about the bolt when the arm is clamped in the crosshead. This mechanism permits rapid vertical adjustment of the arm 27 and also permits the arm to be entirely removed from the machine when desired. This arm 27 connects the plunger cup mechanism to the machine. Therefore, by vertically adjusting the arm the vertical positions of the plunger cups with relation to the bottom of the trays will be effected.

To connect the arm 27 to the plungers, its

outer end is connected with the upper end of the plunger cup shaft 29 which carries the plunger cups 30. It is intended that rotation of the worm gear 22 will vertically reciprocate the crosshead 26 and its arm 27 through the medium of the arm 23 and the connecting rod 24, thus vertically recipprocating the cups so that they will act upon laundry in the trays and wash the same.

To guide the crosshead 26 in this reciprocable motion, a pair of parallel guide rods 31 are vertically positioned within the elongated lower portion 11 of the casing and are secured at their ends therein. These rods are parallel and are disposed upon opposite sides of the vertical center line of the housing and at a distance rearwardly of the front wall thereof. The crosshead 26 is formed with guides 31 which are slidably mounted on the stationary guide rods 31 so that vertical reciprocation of the connecting rod 24 will impart a perfectly vertical reciprocating movement to the cross head 26.

Under certain conditions it is desirable to intermittently rotate the plunger cups during their operative periods. reason a ratchet gear 32 is secured on the plunger shaft 29 which is rotatably held in the arm 27. To cooperate with the ratchet gear 32, a pawl 33 is provided which is car- For this ried by a counter-weighted lever 34 pivotally connected to the arm 2Tas at 35. This lever 34 is fitted with a cam roller 36 which cooperates with a stationary cam 37 formed on the front wall of the housing. This cam is tapered so that the pawl will be actuated once during each, cycle of operation of the crosshead .26 to act on the ratchet gear 32 and partially rotate the plunger shaft 29.

The plunger revolving mechanism just described forms no particular part of my present invention as it is shown, described and claimed in my co-pending application, entitled 'Washing machine, Ser. No. 592,436, filed October 4, 1922.

As previously stated, the machine is adapted to operate a wringer mechanism and to support the same in an operating poformed with a diagonally extending extension 38 which extends from the side of the housing opposite the motor. *The outer end of this extension 38 is formed with a right angularly extending bracket39 which may be secured to the frame of a wringer of any conventional design for securing the latter sition between the tubs and transversely 1 thereof. To accomplish this, the housing is to the machine in a proper relative position.

To drive the wringer, an opening 40 is formed in the extension through which the.

wringer drive shaft may extend, which shaft is indicated by the numeral 41. At the rear of the extension the shaft 41 is fitted with a sprocket wheel 42 which is connected by an endless chain 43 to a sprocket 44 rotatably mounted on the hub of the worm gear 22.

v As the wringer is only operated a part of the time that the machine is in operation, T have provided a clutch mechanism for conmeeting and disconnecting the sprocket 44 from the worm gear 22. This clutch mechanism comprises a clutch shaft 45 which extends axially and centrally through the shaft 21. Exteriorly of the casing the clutch shaft 45 is fitted with a button' 46 by means of which it may be reciprocated to engage or disengage the clutch. The inner end of the clutch shaft 45 is fitted with a transverse bracket 47 which carries clutch pins 48 which are disposed in axial alignment to the clutch shaft. These clutch pins are secured 'to the bracket 47 and extend through openings in the gear 22 and are capable of engaging sockets 49 in the hub of the sprocket 44.

When a pull is exerted on the button 46, the clutch pins 48 extend into the sockets 49 and connect the sprocket gear 44 to the worm gear 22, thus transmitting a drive through the chain 43 to the I sprocket 42 on the wringer drive shaft. When the button 46 is depressed or moved inwardly, the clutch the worm gear 22 and discontinue the wringer drive.

The clutch mechanism, that I have just described, is in a very advantageous position and likewise it may be quickly actuated by the operator of the machine should laundry or portions of the operators clothing become entangled in the wringer. Should such an event occur it is only necessary for the operator to press the button 46 to immediately discontinue the operation of the wringer.

The sides of the extension 38 are formed with inwardly projecting flanges 58 which enclose the sprocket 42 and the chain 43.

To drive the wringer in different directions, the motor is of the reversible type and is provided with a switch which may be actuated to reverse the operation of the motor at will.

The construction of the machine just described is such that the operating parts are fully enclosed for protection from the elements or vapors from the trays. Also it is very compact in construction and extremely durable, and unlikely to become out of order or in need of adjustments.

In operation. of the machine, it is constructed as described and secured against the wall or other'support at the rear of the trays with which it is adapted to cooperate; The machine is usually mounted relative 'to the tray so that the vertical axis of the plunger shaft 29 occurs substantially at the geometrical center of the tub. The arm 27 is then vertically adjusted on the crosshead 26 so that the plunger cups will be disposed at the proper height relative to the bottom of the tub. The wrin er is then assembled on the extension 38 which is of suficient length to dispose the wringer substantially midway between the trays. The wringer is supported by the. extension 38 in operating position and is rigidly secured thereto by means of the bracket 39.

en the circuit of the motor 17 is closed, the wormgear 22 will revolve at the correct rate of speed due to its engagement with the worm 19 connected with the motor shaft. As the worm gear 22 revolves, its relatively fixed arm 23 will also revolve, impartin vertical reciprocationto the connecting ro 24. This motion will be transmitted to the crosshead 26 and its arm 27.

As the plunger cup shaft 29 is secured to the'arm 27, the plunger cups will be vertically reciprocated in a purely vertical direction and caused to act on the laundry in the tubs. During the vertical reciprocation of the arm 27 the cam roller 36- will traverse the cam 37 and vwill actuate-the pawl 33 to intermittently revolve the plunger cup shaft 29 through the medium of the ratchet gear 32. This causes the cups to act upon all of the clothing in the tub.

If it is desired to wring the laundry, a pull is exerted on the button 46 to cause the clutch pins 48 to enter the sockets 49 in the sprocket wheel 44, thus connecting the sprocket wheel 44 to the worm gear 22. This sprocket wheel 44, through the medium of the chain 43, will drive the sprocket 42 on the wringer drive shaft the wringer.

Should clothing become entangled in the wringer or for any other reason should it be desired to discontinue the operation of the wringer, the button 46 is depressed which causes the pins 48 to disengage from the sockets 49 and thereby disconnect the sprocket 44 from the worm gear 22. This discontinues the wringer drive.

If it is desired to operate tlliL wringer without operatin the plunger cups, the arm 27 is disconnecte from the crosshead 26 and the arm and its associate mechanism entirely removed from the Jmachine. The wringer may then be operated as desired. To reverse to direction of operation of the wringer, the circuit of the motor 17 is reversed which will drive the driving elements of the wringer in opposite direction.

Themachine here disclosed while simple in construction, is capable of very efficient operation. Also it is easil installed and inexpensive when compare with other ma-, 'chines of the same washing capabilities. Likewise, its construction is such that it will not easily become out of order nor need constant adjustment and attention.

While I have shown the preferred form of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in its construction may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Let- 'ters Patent is:

, thereby actuating sol the motor, a gear journalled in the casin and in mesh with the worm, a cross-hea disposed below the gear and reciprocably connected to the casing and guided thereby for vertical reciprocation, a connecting rod connected to said cross-head and to an eccentric-point on said gear whereby rotation of the gear will vertlcall reciprocate the cross-head, said cross-hea having a lateral extension rojecting outwardly from the casing, and a vertically reciprocable member connected with said lateral extension whereby reciprocation of the cross-head will vertically reciprocate said member.

2. A washing machine comprising a cesing adapted to be arranged in a vertical position and secured against an upright support, a worm journalled in the casing, a motor supported by the casing and directly connected to the worm, a gear adapted to be driven by the worm, a crosshead guided Within the casing for vertical reciprocation, said casing having a vertical slot formed therein and in alignment with the crosshead and of a length agreeing with the stroke thereof, an arm on the crosshead projecting outwardly through the slot, a vertically reciprocable member connected with said arm, and a connecting rod connected at one end to the crosshead and at the other end to an eccentric point on said gear whereby rota tion of the gear will reciprocate the crosshead and operate the vertically reciprocable member.

3. A washing machine comprising a casing adapted to be arranged in a vertical position and secured against an upright support, a motor supported thereby, a worm journalled within the casing, said worm extending horizontally and laterally of the casing and directly connected to the motor, a worm gear journalled within the casing in mesh with the worm, .a crosshead guided Within the casing beneath the worm for vertical reciprocation, said casing having a vertical slot formed in the front Wall thereof parallel to the travel of the crosshead, said 'cr'osshead having an extension extend ing outwardly through said slot, a vertically reciprocable member connected to said revolution of said gear will vertically reciprocate the crosshead and operate the vertically reciprocable member.

4:. A washing machine comprising a casing having front and side walls, a bracket at one side of the casing exteriorly thereof, a motor supported by said bracket, a worm journalled within the casing and extending horizontally and laterally thereof and directly connected to the shaft of said motor, a worm gear journalled within the casing above the worm and in mesh therewith, a crank arm relatively fixed to said gear, a pair of parallel and vertically disposed guide rods fixed within the casing beneath the worm, a crosshead slidably connected to said guide rods, said casing having a slot formed in the front Wall thereof parallel to and in alignment with thepath of travel of said crosshead, an extension on said crosshead projecting outwardly through said slot, a vertically reciprocable member conhected at its upper end to said extension on the crosshead, and a connecting rod connecting said crank arm' to said crosshead whereby rotation of said gear will vertically. reciprocate said crosshead and operate said vertically reciprocable member.

HGWARD W. ROUTSON; 

